Penobscot Nation offers ‘Teach the Teachers’

INDIAN ISLAND — Maine kindergarten-to-grade 12 educators and pre-service educators will have an opportunity to learn about Maine Indians next month. The fifth annual “Teach the Teachers” series will be hosted by the Penobscot Nation’s Cultural and Historic Preservation Department on four days in October on Indian Island: Monday, Oct. 3; Tuesday, Oct. 11; Wednesday, Oct. 19; and Thursday, Oct. 27.

The workshops are designed to assist Maine educators with incorporating Maine Indian history and culture into their classrooms, to identify historically accurate and culturally appropriate classroom resources, and to help foster a continuing relationship between Maine educators and the Penobscot Cultural and Historic Preservation Department.

This year, instructors will be looking at subject matter on all grade levels, including a presentation on tribal sovereignty by Darren Ranco.

Since 2005, Maine educators in kindergarten through grade 12 have been required by Maine law to include Maine Indian history and culture in their classrooms.

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The Maine Indian History and Culture Law, commonly referred to by its 2002 legislative document number, LD 291, was presented as a bill to the 122nd Legislature by former Penobscot tribal Rep. Donna Loring, who recognized a need for Mainers to become better educated about the indigenous people of the state.

The Penobscot Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department has been at the forefront since the bill’s inception, providing educational resources, curriculum, classroom presentations and teacher professional development workshops.

The workshop fee is $35, including lunch and a copy of the DVD “Penobscot: A People and Their River.” Preregistration is required as space is limited. To register, visit http://www.penobscotculture.com. For information, call 817-7472.